Do/did you think raya is the Muslim new year? 😂 Asking because damn, after leaving school and the mandatory maal hijrah stuff, I don’t think I’ve ever celebrated Awwal Muharram (today!!) in any big way. No wonder if ppl thought raya is new year.
I think many are aware now, but it was indeed a widely held misconception that Raya is the New Year among the Chinese. In fact, even till now Raya is sometimes referred as Malay New Year (the literal translation of 馬來新年) in the Chinese speaking community, though not officially, but common enough to keep the misconception alive.
One of the reasons might be that for the Chinese people, the New Year (Spring Festival) is generally the most important - thus most greatly celebrated - occasion in a year. And as we observe how Raya is celebrated, especially in relative to other occasions, it’s perhaps not too surprising that we assume the same it is for the Malay/Muslim as well.
Indeed some Chinese have the same misconception about Deepavali with the Hindus.
And I think in general we’re doing better now, including in education - sad to say, but I don’t remember my teachers (in SMJK) bothered to teach or clarify this with us when we’re growing up (another reason the misunderstanding was rife) . But I think many Chinese are more respectful in this regard today.
sad to say, but I don’t remember my teachers (in SMJK) bothered to teach or clarify this with us when we’re growing up (another reason the misunderstanding was rife) .
So much this. Apparently some teachers don’t encourage the students to ask questions. I was flipping out when I heard about this.
I only realized that yesterday when my Malay friends were talking about it. Heck one of my Malay friends didn’t know as well, or he probably forgot about it as he grew up 😂
Snap poll for the non-muslims:
Do/did you think raya is the Muslim new year? 😂 Asking because damn, after leaving school and the mandatory maal hijrah stuff, I don’t think I’ve ever celebrated Awwal Muharram (today!!) in any big way. No wonder if ppl thought raya is new year.
I think many are aware now, but it was indeed a widely held misconception that Raya is the New Year among the Chinese. In fact, even till now Raya is sometimes referred as Malay New Year (the literal translation of 馬來新年) in the Chinese speaking community, though not officially, but common enough to keep the misconception alive.
One of the reasons might be that for the Chinese people, the New Year (Spring Festival) is generally the most important - thus most greatly celebrated - occasion in a year. And as we observe how Raya is celebrated, especially in relative to other occasions, it’s perhaps not too surprising that we assume the same it is for the Malay/Muslim as well.
Indeed some Chinese have the same misconception about Deepavali with the Hindus.
And I think in general we’re doing better now, including in education - sad to say, but I don’t remember my teachers (in SMJK) bothered to teach or clarify this with us when we’re growing up (another reason the misunderstanding was rife) . But I think many Chinese are more respectful in this regard today.
So much this. Apparently some teachers don’t encourage the students to ask questions. I was flipping out when I heard about this.
Oh no worries - I remember feeling so surprised… Then I observed how low-key ours is… 😂
Haha, I must say it’s quite eye opening for me to see how different the culture is!
even in Sarawak, Gawai (which is technically Harvest festival) is known as Indigenous New Year 土著/拉子新年
falls over
Dang guys, what isn’t a new year in Malaysian Chinese lingo?
I only realized that yesterday when my Malay friends were talking about it. Heck one of my Malay friends didn’t know as well, or he probably forgot about it as he grew up 😂
Nope. But I did thought so when I was much younger, like in school.
📝 aye that checks out. Tho once I had a hairdresser who thought that still lol
Is it not :o
Because to me chinese, cny is the biggest celebration and Raya Aidilfitri share very similar traits
Sorry me ignorant 🙈
Congrats to you for your TIL then 😂
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Fyi there are multiple Indian new years based on the ethnic group. Tamils have Puthnandu, Punjab Sikhs have Vaisakhi and Malayalis have Vishu etc.